Colleen Barnett

Mystery Women: An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction Volume III (1990-1999)

Colleen Barnett

• 2004 Anthony-Critical nominee
• 2004 Edgar-Critical/Biography nominee
• 2004 Macavity-Nonfiction nominee
• 2003 Agatha–Nonfiction nominee
• Score: 24.54

“Mystery Women, Volume 3” is an encyclopedia of leading women characters in mystery fiction introduced during the years 1990-1999. It was preceded by “Mystery Women 1 (1860-1979)” and “Mystery Women 2 (1980-1989)”. In each of the three books, the protagonists are described as to appearance, education and career, family status, religious and political interests. There are short reviews of the books in which each appeared. The series was intended not only as a resource for mystery fans,librarians and booksellers, but as a reflection of the way in which women were portrayed in the mystery novel over a period of 150 years. Initially women were victims or villianesses. Success by early sleuths was often based on “intuition” rather than intelligence. Parallels are drawn between the fictional status of women and that which existed in the real world at that time. The impact of world and national events; i.e. World War I and II, the Depression, the Equal Employment!

Opportunity Act, the Civil Rights Movement, are noted. Plots in later narratives often focus on issues of particular…

Mystery Women: An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction, Volume 1 (1860-1979)

Colleen Barnett

• 2002 Agatha–Nonfiction nominee
• Score: 6.52

Many bibliographers focus on women who write. Lawyer Barnett looks at women who detect, at women as sleuths and at the evolving roles of women in professions and in society. Excellent for all women’s studies programs as well as for the mystery hound.